HULU SELANGOR: Khairul Azhari Saut has firmly denied allegations that he owes money to loan sharks.
The Perikatan Nasional candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election said that he had taken out loans, which is typical of those running a business.
"All businessmen have debts... but what's more important is that I am not in debt to loan sharks," he said during a press conference here on Saturday (May 4).
Khairul Azhari said the allegations about him owing loan sharks were defamatory, similar to the aspersions cast against his educational background.
He also said he chose not to respond to reporters on the loan shark accusations as it wasn't the right time.
"What's important is I did not lie," he said.
Khairul Azhari had previously deflected such questions during a walkabout in Kerling on Friday (May 3).
"That's a personal matter. I prefer to concentrate on the by-election and the issues that affect our community," he said
On Friday (May 3), Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali also came to Khairul Azhari's defence saying the allegations were false.
The Perikatan Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election director said all potential coalition candidates were subject to background checks.
"It is not right to suggest that he has accumulated debts from loan sharks," Azmin, who is also Selangor Bersatu chief, said in an interview on Friday.
This comes after allegations arose on X that Khairul owed almost RM40,000 to loan sharks.
Qustions about Khairul Azhari's executive diploma in management from Universiti Malaya in 2019 and a master's degree in Business Management from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) were also raised previously.
UMPSA chief executive officer Dr Ahmad Johari Mohamad later clarified that Khairul Azhari's education background is valid and recognised by the universities' senate.
Perikatan's Khairul Azhari is in a four-cornered fight against Pakatan Harapan, Parti Rakyat Malaysia and an Independent for the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat.
Polling is set for May 11 with early voting on May 7.
